Staple food prices in sub-Saharan Africa surged by an average 23.9 per cent in 2020-22—the most since the 2008 global financial crisis. This is commensurate to an 8.5 per cent rise in the cost of a typical food consumption basket (beyond generalised price increases).

Rising interest rates by the United States Federal Reserve and other central banks around the world could have a significant impact on Asia.

Climate change is causing frequent heat waves, erratic rainfall, flooding and other extreme weather events that have a devastating impact on Asia’s agriculture. Disaster-related damage to crops and livestock in Asia is estimated at more than $49 billion since 2010, the highest among all regions.

Negotiations have broken down and the leaders started to frown. For that, a global fuel crisis has come out. The ongoing invasion of Ukraine by Russia is causing an arbitrary rise in natural gas prices in the global market. The Covid-19 pandemic hasn’t taken its paw yet on the global economy. Bangladesh is facing the problem of an ongoing fuel crisis like other countries. While appeasing the pandemic situation, floods in the northeast region had troubled the economy. The nation was celebrating its achievement of 100 pc power grid coverage and the opening of Padma Bridge but the fuel crisis is throwing down our economy into darkness by bringing back the load shedding. The government has taken some steps in advance to assuage the crisis. Circulars had been issued to conserve 25 per cent electricity and 20 per cent fuel in the government offices and to reduce office time. The crisis we are seeing vividly is recent but a major crisis of climate change is always fatal for us. There is no time better than now to implement the green office policy in every office of this country.

Social protection programmes need to be strengthened and expanded across Asia to prepare for the impacts of climate change.

Climate change is transforming the global investment landscape, creating new risks and opportunities. Physical risks, from rising sea levels to the lethal heat waves scorching Europe and elsewhere, affect asset values for everything from stocks to real estate and infrastructure. So-called transition risk—including government policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions—lowers the value of fossil fuel companies.

Climate change is one of the most critical macroeconomic and financial policy challenges that IMF members face in coming decades. The recent spikes in the cost of fuel and food—and the resulting risks of social unrest—underline the importance of investing in green energy and boosting resilience to shocks.

Bangladesh’s progress in terms of achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs) has been quite exceptional and the country is now seen as a role model for sustainable development, particularly in terms of locally-led adaptation.

Consumer price growth has spiked, driven by non-food inflation which is approaching 7 per cent. Inflation in Bangladesh is catching up with global trends. As in the case of the rest of the world, cost-push has been the most important driver which in turn came from increases in energy prices. 

The world is more environmentally conscious than ever before as the threats of pollution are becoming increasingly obvious.

Technology is proving to be a game-changer in the fashion industry. From manufacturing to marketing, the touch of technology is no longer a luxury, it is a necessity. That is why a technological transformation is taking place at great speed both at organisational and industry levels not only in Bangladesh, but across the globe.

Of late, energy prices have gone through the roof. Prices of natural gas and coal in recent weeks have risen to a level that is the highest in decades. Consequently, electricity prices in some parts of the world, especially in Europe, North America, and some parts of Asia have skyrocketed.

The COP26 began at the Scottish Event Campus in Glasgow yesterday. The whole world is closely watching how much of their expectation on reducing climate vulnerabilities is being addressed through required actions.

In the 50 years since independence, Bangladesh has achieved great success regarding the development of the country.

2021 is a very special year for Bangladesh. This year we celebrate 50 years of our achievements as a nation, built on our innate strength and resilience.

The 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) is just 15 days away. The COP26 secretariat, the UK and Italian government and governments of the participating countries are finalising their last days of preparation before meeting in Glasgow, UK from October 31 to November 12.

We cannot help but take pride and feel happy when Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres terms

An important job was pending, and “Everybody” thought “Somebody” would do that. “Anybody” could have done it, but “Nobody” did it.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, in his official statement at the General Debate of the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly on September 21, announced that China would step up support for other developing countries in generating green and low-carbon energy and would not build new coal-fired power projects abroad.

service. Consumers need not buy air-conditioning or any related equipment. Rather, they will pay for air-conditioning service used at home or office.